Hello darlings! Emma here, your time-travelling ballet blogger, and itās time for another exciting post. We're on number 1925 in the world of www.pink-tutu.com, can you believe it?
Itās a beautiful Spring day in my home county of Derbyshire and the birds are singing as I type. This month, Magic Meg (my trusty pink sparkling Shire horse with those fabulous golden hooves!) is going to take us back in time to witness a Parisian premiere! I've been working on my tutus for weeks - it's going to be a bit of a different look from the graceful Romanticism we see in ballet today. Oh, and there might just be a surprise appearance from one of my favourite, most famous tutusā¦ just wait!
Letās set our time travel dials back to 5 May 1821. Paris is buzzing! The city is always alive with exciting developments, but tonight is something very special. The Paris Opera is premiering a new ballet called La Dansomanie, and all of society is abuzz about it. Can you imagine the anticipation? To be among the first to see a brand new ballet!
Now, darling, let's talk tutus. In 1821, we're firmly in the era of "tutu-less" dancing, but oh! Do I have a special surprise for you!
Imagine this - La Dansomanie features a charming little solo called Le Sylphe, where a whimsical fairy flitters across the stage with her shimmering lightness. Now get this: the original costume for the character Sylphe is described as āa very light, diaphanous garmentā. Light, diaphanous - sounds just like a little pink tutu, don't you think? Itās not documented exactly how this 'diaphanous garment' was shaped, but with my imagination I picture a delightful flurry of pink silk!
A new fashion icon is born?
In La Dansomanie, we also see another fascinating development for the tutus of the future. As the ballet tells a story of madness, a character, called Mademoiselle Mathilde, performs a ballet which incorporates specific, theatrical movements inspired by a āmad dancerā... or to be a little bit more dramatic, a dancing nymph. In this part, sheās wearing a kind of tutu. Not as we know it, of course! But imagine, darling, it is the first ever performance to feature the shape and style of what we now call a tutu, albeit with many changes yet to come!
This tutu is essentially a form of tulle skirt gathered at the waist, worn beneath a floor-length skirt, and made a great deal of noise as it danced! The fact that it even existed in a show in 1821, especially a show as popular as this one, marks an absolutely vital change in the evolution of our beloved tutus.
Itās all about the movement.
In the same way we all crave a beautiful pair of pointe shoes, the evolution of the tutu is fascinating because it mirrors a change in the style of dancing itself!
See, this era in ballet is about elegance, precision, lightness and storytelling. We're moving away from the old, elaborate baroque, with all of its theatrical pantomime. We're moving into the more beautiful, expressive style of the Romantics.
Can you imagine being one of the first audience members to experience this new type of dance, where stories unfold not through theatrical pantomime, but through exquisite leaps, captivating movement and graceful port de bras ā that means the elegant movements of the arms. It's an elegant transition that is changing everything!
Just think of the sensational outfits they'll need to support this movement! It must have been quite a sight for the Parisian audience.
The Paris Opera is the heart of this exciting new era! With a bit of pink imagination and maybe just a hint of that special shimmer in the air, we can easily envision those tutus! I bet they were full of delicate pinks, pastel blues and just a dash of gold - the shades of femininity, just like the movements!
How do I make it all happen?
You may ask: āBut Emma, how do you make all this amazing time travel happen?ā It's all thanks to the support I get from performing at the amazing Derbyshire ballet classes. Thatās my special secret, my pink-tutu mojo, if you will. You could say I'm a dancer with a very specific skill set!
Being a ballet time traveller can be hard work, darling, especially when it comes to picking out a tutu. There's a whole world of historical facts, dance research, vintage fashion and costume design - itās so much fun!
Did you knowā¦?
Itās also worth saying that today, 5 May 1821, marks another important moment in our tutu history in London, England. In London, at the Kingās Theatre, ballet dancers will take part in a grand musical evening which will include a stunning ballet called *āLāAmazzoneā. I wonder what type of tutu the ballerina was wearing to be so amazzingly dramatic?
Shopping in the history books.
Itās my mission, dear readers, to bring those delicate ballet garments into every single ballet class, show and street performance across the globe! It is an enormous mission and requires lots of research to learn about ballet costumes in history! Thatās why you can always see me in my fabulous, practical leather backpack. I love shopping in historical times! Imagine having a bag for everything that reflects every single moment of history and evolution of the tutu. I have to fill it with all the important memories - I might just make a tutu out of these souvenirs! Just wait till I tell you about the time I bought a pair of satin pumps!
Now, darling, letās recap: this was an epic day in our tutu history, an absolute masterpiece of dance and fashion - full of beautiful new ideas!
To every one of my readers and friends: may you have pink-tutu inspired days, nights and moments that you never forget! Until next month, darling, keep dancing and keep loving those tutus!
All my love and a pink pirouette
Emma
